By StreetWise Partners 

 Our StreetWise Board of Directors is a dynamic group of exemplary professionals currently comprised of 22 members. The team comes from diverse backgrounds and industries, yet they all share our common values of Community, Customized Support, Diversity, Adaptability, Equity, and Empowerment. Furthermore, they deeply believe in our mission to advance economic equity by connecting underrepresented talent to mentorship and career opportunities.  

We are thrilled to announce that we recently added a new Director to our Board and CEO, Shari Krull, sat down with him for a conversation. Get to know Colin Smith, Chief Operating Officer of SageSure.  

Shari: Colin, we’re so excited to have you join our Board this year. Tell the audience a little about your background and career.  

Colin: I’ve had an unorthodox mix of roles over the past 20 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if my family’s frequent moves (we moved about 20 times growing up) has made it easier to pivot to new opportunities. After graduating from the University of Virginia, I started my career in investment banking – first at Banc of America Securities then Atlantic-Pacific Capital. In late 2008, I was asked to join the Board of a nonprofit, Change for Kids. In what I’ve described as a Jerry Maguire moment, I instead left my job to run the organization – inspired by the mission, the students we served, and the organization’s impending closure due to the 2008 recession. We grew CFK’s budget 25x from when we started and were supporting 5,000 students at 14 schools when I left in 2017. I returned to the finance world, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of SageSure. We’ve grown rapidly to insure over 500,000 residential and commercial policyholders in 14 states, and I lead the strategic planning, financial planning, and corporate development efforts. 

Shari: Since you have walked in my shoes as the leader of a nonprofit organization, will you tell me more about that organization and your impact as its Executive Director?  

Colin: Leading Change for Kids was a special time in my life. I was 27 when I took on the role and essentially grew up with the organization – learning what it meant to manage and lead folks, create and execute a strategy, speak publicly, pitch effectively, etc. We had to figure all of that out asap in early 2009 against the backdrop of a collapsing NYC donor base, or risk closing our doors. We focused on building a strong fundraising base – primarily from our amazing Board who wanted opportunities to lead; from young professionals who were looking for engaging volunteer and fundraising events; and from corporate donors who were leaning into the power of volunteer opportunities for employees. We overhauled our program model to specifically target what our schools, their principals, and students needed. Everything we did was focused on meeting our stakeholders where they were. The fruits of that greatly expanded our impact – ultimately helping tens of thousands of students attend stronger elementary schools. 

Shari: So, it is clear to me that service to the community and business are both in your blood. Tell me a bit about how you can produce great achievements in your career in the business world while doing the same thing in the nonprofit world. 

Colin: I have always approached nonprofit and for-profit work with similar goals. Being driven by the purpose of what we’re trying to achieve and whom we’re serving. Clearly articulating a strategy for achieving the mission that rallies others to make it happen. Seeking different solutions, which in my case has been helped by my lack of history in the industries I was entering – I had minimal background in elementary education at CFK and insurance at SageSure, and I believe that allowed me to bring a fresh perspective and ask the dumb “why” or “why not” questions. 

Shari: That’s inspiring! Not only to me, but also others reading this article. Let’s turn to StreetWise Partners. How did you first hear about our organization? 
 
Colin: One of my favorite people in the world is current StreetWise Chair, Tazia Smith (no, we’re not related). Taz and I met 20 years ago, and I’ve always been inspired by her passion for the StreetWise cause. I’ve supported the organization in a variety of ways over the years, from mentoring to events. When she stepped up to the Chair role and asked if I’d be interested in increasing my commitment, it was a no brainer to support an incredible cause AND an incredible friend. 

Shari: There are so many worthy organizations in this city who would be grateful and honored to have you join their mission and serve on their board. Why us? Why did you want to join the StreetWise Board? 

Colin: Because I believe so firmly in providing the opportunity for folks to live the American Dream of upward mobility. In my view,

StreetWise has found the right ingredients: ongoing training and education; opening networks, which we all know are such a powerful means of opportunity; and creating two-way engagement through a mentorship model. 

Shari: Lastly, what has been the most uplifting or inspiring moment you’ve experienced with StreetWise? 

Colin: Last spring, I attended the StreetWise breakfast while I was determining whether to join the Board. The stories were incredibly powerful: folks migrating from office cleaning to engineering, from Starbucks to a Big 4 accounting firm, from an amusement park to account executive. There’s nothing more inspiring than encountering people willing to put in the hard work to build a better life for themselves and their families. Coupling that hard work with opportunity is a powerful combination, and something I feel a responsibility to support.